Ryan Reynolds is getting vulnerable about his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. The 48-year-old actor attended the Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ panel for Parkinson’s Awareness Month in New York City on Friday, April 25, 2025. There, he opened up about witnessing his father, James Chester, experience the neurological disorder for two decades until his death in 2015.
“A man with four children, working class, dealing with a disease that is degenerative and something that will one day render him physically unable to take care of himself or others, that is going to have a profound effect on the psyche. That’s not easy,” Ryan told People. He emphasized that his father was one of the many Parkinson’s patients who experienced hallucinations and delusions, highlighting the stigma surrounding these symptoms.
Ryan continued, “He was a proud man, probably said the word Parkinson’s twice in his whole life. So he certainly wasn’t going to talk about some of the psychological effects it was having on him. And if there was treatment for that, if there was something available back then, I think his whole life would’ve improved. I think his sense of wellbeing would’ve been restored. His sense of reality would’ve been restored.”
As the event progressed, the star of Deadpool and Wolverine reflected on how his father’s condition affected those around him. “There is a real kind of caregiver fatigue, and there’s a kind of bag of rocks that you carry around with you where you’re the one that’s basically responsible for caring for this person, caring for yourself. It’s very hard being the person. My mom was that person. She was the primary caregiver for my father,” he explained.
“When you have somebody who’s very prideful like that, he’s not going to accept help from anyone else. So I feel for them as much as I do the patients. So when they reach out, I really make time for all of them, not just the one who’s dealing with the disease,” he added.
Ryan Reynolds isn’t just well-known for playing the leading role in the superhero series Deadpool. The actor is also an active advocate for Parkinson’s disease awareness, having lost his father to the disease a decade ago. Now, he’s using April—Parkinson’s Awareness Month—to underscore the need for educating patients, caregivers, and the public at large about an often-overlooked symptom of the disease: hallucinations and delusions.
At the same event in New York City, Reynolds spoke on a panel alongside patient advocate Jimmy Choi and neurologist Dr. Fiona Gupta to discuss why there’s still plenty of stigma associated with Parkinson’s non-motor symptoms. Tom Garner, chief commercial officer at Acadia, noted that “50% of patients may experience hallucinations and delusions, but less than 10% will actually speak to a clinician about it.”
Garner emphasized the need for awareness, stating, “We felt there was a huge opportunity there to address the unmet need.” The event is part of an ongoing campaign by Acadia called More to Parkinson’s, which launched last August and has tapped into Reynolds’ star power, comedic talent, and personal link to Parkinson’s.
Reynolds’ father was diagnosed with the disease in his 40s and experienced hallucinations and delusions, but rarely spoke about it. “He maybe said the word ‘Parkinson’s’ twice,” Reynolds noted, pointing to the stigma that still exists today. The actor’s involvement in the campaign has already made a significant impact, with global impressions reaching over 4 billion since the campaign launched.
Garner shared that Acadia is tracking how the effort is encouraging patients to discuss their experiences with physicians regarding Parkinson’s disease psychosis, or PDP. “We’ve seen a nice uptick in referrals in patients going to see a movement disorder specialist, saying, ‘I’ve seen Ryan’s story, and I think I might be experiencing [something] similar,’” Garner said.
The campaign is unbranded, but Acadia is the manufacturer of Nuplazid, a drug that treats Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions, which was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016. Reynolds concluded the event by noting that “Hollywood can impact change” in healthcare—especially through universal moments such as films or concerts—underscoring the influence that pharma-celebrity partnerships can have.
The campaign has also featured Ryan’s mother, Tammy Reynolds, to offer the spouse and caregiver perspective. “As Ryan came onboard, we were in the middle of Deadpool 3, which gave us a nice boost,” Garner said. “[It’s about] making sure that as you sequence out what your marketing strategy looks like for these unbranded campaigns, that you’re thoughtful as to where are the additional places you can gain traction and how can that sequence over time.”
In a world where mental health and chronic illnesses continue to carry stigmas, Ryan Reynolds’ advocacy shines a light on the importance of open conversations about Parkinson’s disease and its often-overlooked symptoms. His personal connection to the cause not only raises awareness but also encourages others to seek help and share their experiences, fostering a supportive community for those affected by the disease.
